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Lymphangiomas in infancy
and childhood: An overview and imaging approaches
M. Mearadji
International Foundation for Pediatric Imaging Aid
Introduction
Lymphangioma:
is a congenital malformation of the lymphatic
system.
arises from sequestration of lymphatic tissue
failing to communicate with the lymphatic
pathway.
tends to surround and invade normal
anatomic structures.
Introduction
The incidence is 1 : 4000 - 6500 life births.
Lymphangiomas are commonly benign and asymptomatic, but incidentally cause pressure and a life threatening complication.
Hemorrhage or infection are both the cause of sudden enlargement.
Features of lymphangiomas
Based on size and anatomic structure
lymphangiomas are classified in:
a. Cystic hygroma.
b. Cavernous lymphangioma.
c. Capillary sized simple lymphangioma.
d. Vasculolymphatic lymphangioma (with hemangiomatous compartments).
Imaging modalities
Conventional X- ray examination depending on location.
Sonography.
MRI.
CT.
Sonographic appearance of lymphangiomas
An- or hypoechoic ,mostly multilocular cystic mass.
Thinwalled with septa of variable thickness.
Cluster of microcystic lymphatic channels may be hyperreflective.
Exceeding to other anatomic region and neighbouring organs.
Hypo- or avascular by color Doppler evaluation.
Hypervascularity in cases of mixed type vascular elements (hemangiolymphangiomas).
Different echographic pattern of
lymphangiomas from different location
MRI characteristics of lymphangiomas
High signal intensity on T2 and low signal intensity on T1.
The signal characteristics can be variable in some cases depending on degree of protein.
Multiple cysts with well demarcated margins on T2.
Delineation of full extent of the lesion by imaging of neighbouring organs.
Giant hygroma colli
by two infants.
MRI of a giant hygroma with hyperintensity on T2 and septations.
b b
a a
Locations of lymphangiomas
Lymphangiomas may occur at any anatomic location in the body with exception of the central nervous system.
Approximately 75% is located in the posterior triangle of neck and axilla.
Extension of hygroma colli in mediastinum is reported in about 10%.
Mesenteric location is around 8%.
Other incidentally reported sites of lymphangiomas are retroperitoneal space, kidneys, scrotum, upper and lower extremities and trunk.
Prenatal MRI from a foetus with giant hygroma colli.
Hygroma colli
growing in the
retrolaryngeal
space.
Lymphangioma of the neck with intrathoracic extension
A boy with mesenterial
cystic lymphangioma in
the age of 8 and 9 years.
8y
9y
Cystic intraperitoneal
lymphangioma in a 5-
year-old girl
2-months-old girl with a giant
retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma
with displacement of kidney and
right-sided hydronephrosis.
Note: the displacement of bowels.
4-year-old girl with
retroperitoneal
lymphangioma.
Lymphangioma in a
newborn boy with cluster of
microcystic lymphatic tissue.
Suprarenal located.
Newborn girl with a cystic
lymphangioma of the right flank.
1,5-year old boy with a
cystic lymphangioma on
the right thoracic wall.
5-year-old boy with a cavernous lymphangioma
located on right medial malleolus.
Lymphangioma with
vasculary malformation
in a 5-year-old boy in
the right cheek.
6-year-old boy with a dissiminated
lymphangioma with vascular malformation.
Cystic hygroma with an acute bleeding.
Note the fluid level of the blood.
Lymphangiomatosis
Is a disease characterized by maldevelopment of lymphatic drainage.
Occurs mainly in children and adolescents (very rare).
Single organ involvement known as pulmonary lymphangiectasia.
Multi-organ involvement known as generalized lymphangiomatosis.
In Gorham’s disease lung and bone are both affected.
4-year-old boy with
persistent hydrothorax
and clavicle destruction.
(Gorham syndrome)
Boy born with an excessive lympedema and respiratory distress.
Later on he suffered from recurrent pleural effusion.
CT and chestfilm both show the sign of lymphangiomatosis of the
lung.
Conclusions
A cystic lesion in infancy and childhood can be classified as either neoplastic or non- neoplasitc.
Cystic lymphangiomas of the neck should be differentiated from other congenital cystic neck masses.
An intra-abdominal cystic lesion of unknown origin should be considered to be a lymphangioma.
Conclusions
Recurrent chylothorax of unknown etiology can be the first manifestation of lung lymphangiomatosis.
Bone destruction together with chylothorax is
the classical sign of Gorham’s disease.
Most lymphangiomas exceed to other
anatomic layers.
Conclusions
Sonography is the modality of choice in screening and follow-up of cystic lymphangiomas.
Thinwalled, an- or hypoechoic cystic lesion, mostly multilocular, is characteristic for lymphangioma.
Color Doppler or duplex sonography should be routinely used to demonstrate the vascularity of the masses.
Conclusions
MRI is absolutely indicated to assess the extension of lymphangiomas and its relation to neighbouring organs, especially in neck, thoracic cage and abdomen.
The indication to use CT in lymphangioma is to look for angiomatous components and the extension of hemangiolymphangiomas.
In pulmonary lymphangiomatosis CT is superior to MRI.
Recommended